Difference between revisions of "Towbar"

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Make money from derelict ships.
 
[[Image:Towbar1.png|600px|right]]
 
[[Image:Towbar1.png|600px|right]]
Download it from [https://www.box.com/s/t7vnj3kfinbpc7m1twy3 here].
 
 
== Towbar ==
 
== Towbar ==
Make money from derelict ships.
 
  
Pilots often eject when lost a fight and left behind an almost destroyed ship.
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Pilots often eject when they have lost a fight and thus leave behind an almost destroyed ship.
You do not need to destroy ships anymore for bounty due to you will get instantly when the pilot ejects.
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You do not need to totally destroy these ships anymore for the bounty, because now you will get it instantly when the pilot ejects.
  
Your HUD can show the Derelict status of your target if [[Detectors]] OXP or [[Numeric_Style_HUDs|NumericHUD v3.11]] OXP installed or you insert the insertintohudlegends.plist file from the Towbar OXP into your hud.plist.
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Your HUD can show the Derelict status of your target if either [[Detectors]] OXP or [[Numeric_Style_HUDs|NumericHUD v3.11]] OXP are installed or you insert the insertintohudlegends.plist file from the Towbar OXP into your hud.plist.
  
If you apporach a derelict ship in 100m (or hurtle into) with low speed difference (below 10) then the towbar will lock it, see in the aft view (F2).
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If you approach a derelict ship within 100m (or hurtle into it) with a low speed difference (below 10) then the towbar will lock it. You will see it in your aft view (F2).
  
You can tow ships with maximum 1.6 times more mass than your ship, others can be mined with Ship Miner only (see below).
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''You can tow ships with a maximum of 1.6 times more mass than your ship''. Untowable ships can be mined with Ship Miner only (see below).
  
Can not use Injectors without a special equipment and pitch rate very low when towing (the $TowbarSlowTurn variable in towbar.js can be set to false on computers where controls goes jerky when tow a ship).
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You cannot use Injectors unless you have special equipment and your pitch rate will be very low while towing (the $TowbarSlowTurn variable in towbar.js can be set to false on computers where controls go jerky while towing a ship).
  
Pull into a dock in the current system to sell the hull as a large amount of alloys.
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Tow the ship into a dock in the current solar system to sell the hull as a large amount of alloys.
  
  Ship Mass Alloys Approximated credits
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  Ship Mass Alloys Approximated
Adder   11 3 100
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  Adder   11   3     100
Moray   40 12 400
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  Moray   40   12     400
Cobra Mk I 47 14 500
+
  Cobra Mk I 47   14     500
Fer-de-Lance 51 15 500
+
  Fer-de-Lance 51   15     500
Asp     59 18 600
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  Asp     59   18     600
Cobra Mk III 186 56 1800
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  Cobra Mk III 186   56   1800
Boa    192 58 1900
+
  Boa    192   58   1900
Python  222 67 2200
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  Python  222   67   2200
Anaconda 430 80 2600
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  Anaconda 430   80   2600
  
 
[[Image:Towbar2.png|400px|right]]
 
[[Image:Towbar2.png|400px|right]]
The payment calculated from the alloy price at the station where you sell it, plus 0-2t Computers depending on the ship size.
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The payment is calculated from the alloy price at the station where you sell it, plus 0-2TC Computers (depending on the ship size). The largest ships can give a maximum of only 80TC alloys due to their massive inner space. These alloys will not be added to the market because the ship is sold to a dealer who pays instantly but disassembles the wreck later (thus avoiding filling up the 127TC limit of the station's market). You will get several hundred credits for each saved piece of equipment, and for the weapons too. A [[Military_Laser|Military Laser]] will be worth 1-2 thousands (but probably the fight was harder to get it).
Largest ships can give maximum 80t alloys only due to the inner space.
 
 
 
Alloys will not added to the market because the ship sold to a dealer who pay instantly but disassemble later (and to avoid fill up the 127t limit of the market), but cargo will be added.
 
If the market is full with this cargo then the remains will be sold at half price or discarded if you set $TowbarLimit127t to true in towbar.js.
 
 
 
 
 
You will get a few hundred credits for each saved equipments and weapons also.
 
 
 
[[Military_Laser|Military Laser]] worth 1-2 thousands but probably the fight was harder to get it.
 
 
 
All saved cargo worth the current price at the station.  
 
  
Some ships (with high version numbers in [[ShipVersion]] OXP so the durable ones) hold much more valuable cargo than others.
+
Cargo will be added to the market. All saved cargo is sold for the current price at the station. If the market is already filled with this cargo then the remains will be sold at half price (or discarded if you set $TowbarLimit127t to true in towbar.js).
  
 +
Some ships (with high version numbers in [[ShipVersion]] OXP - so the more durable ones) hold much more valuable cargo than others.
  
 
[[Image:Towbar3.png|400px|right]]
 
[[Image:Towbar3.png|400px|right]]
  
With [[HardShips]] OXP you can get more equipments as you can see in this image:
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With [[HardShips]] OXP you can get more equipment - as you can see in this image:
  
  
 
'''Compliments'''
 
'''Compliments'''
  
You can get the following compliments:
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You might get the following compliments:
  
* 1000 credits: Nice work.
+
* 1000₢: Nice work.
* 3000 credits: Well done!
+
* 3000₢: Well done!
* 5000 credits: Excellent!
+
* 5000₢: Excellent!
  
  
 
'''Usage'''
 
'''Usage'''
  
Be careful when attacking a ship: slow your fire when the exhaust plume changes (or throwing sparks with [http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12507 CustomShields OXP]) to avoid blowing it and stop immediately when you see the Escape capsule. Then touch the derelict ship slowly to lock it to the towbar.
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Be careful when attacking a ship you hope to tow: slow your fire when the exhaust plume changes (or throwing sparks with [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12507 CustomShields OXP]) to avoid blowing it up - and stop immediately when you see the Escape capsule. Then slowly touch the derelict ship to lock it to your towbar.
  
Reduce the pitch and yaw movements when towing due to there are a small but increasing chance to break the towbar or the towed ship, heavier ship break sooner. A few tips:
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Reduce the pitch and yaw movements when towing. There is a small but increasing chance to break either the towbar or the towed ship: heavier ships break sooner. A few tips:
 
* Approach the derelict ship in the direction of your next movement, usually head to the Station to reduce turning with mass.
 
* Approach the derelict ship in the direction of your next movement, usually head to the Station to reduce turning with mass.
* Stop your ship before turn to cause less pressure to the towbar.
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* Stop your ship before turning to cause less pressure to the towbar.
 +
* Do not go on a sightseeing tour: the status of the ship degrades over time when moving, so you will earn more credits if you deliver it faster. You will be informed about flying parts to remember this. Such loss will be less at low speeds and your haul will be safe from this only if your ship is stopped!
  
Do not go to a sightseeing tour: the status of the ship degrading over time when moving, so you can earn more credits if you deliver faster. You will be informed about flying parts to remember this. Losing less at low speeds but your haul are in safe only if your ship is stopped.
+
Problems:
 +
*If the towbar is destroyed then you can buy another and go back to the ship, just find the '''"D"''' (derelict) beaconCode on your [[Advanced_Space_Compass|Advanced Space Compass]]. [[Telescope]] OXP shows it also on your main scanner from any range.
 +
*If you are too slow then either pirates will blow up the ship for the cargo, or hunters for the bounty or else some Thargoids will visit for sure!
 +
*Other derelict ships in the system will not display a beaconCode on your ASC (due to the signal transmitter only being placed when the towbar is locked on).
  
If the towbar is destroyed then you can buy another and go back to the ship, just find the '''"D"''' (derelict) beaconCode on your [[Advanced_Space_Compass|Advanced Space Compass]]. [[Telescope]] OXP show it also in the main scanner from any range.
+
Releasing the towed ship:
 +
*You can release your towed ship if your ship touches another derelict ship.
 +
*If you initiate a hyperjump then the towbar will release the towed ship. This means that you must sell the ship in the same system where you get it.
 +
*You can also release the towed ship by priming your Towbar ('''Shift+N''') and pressing activate ('''n'''). The just released ship can then be relocked by another activate (within 200m).
  
If you are too slow then pirates will blow up the ship for the cargo, hunters for the bounty or Thargoids for sure.
+
Combat while towing:
 +
*The towed ship is vulnerable, so you are recommended to avoid combat situations until it has been delivered.
 +
*The largest towed ships face into your aft weapon - so you cannot fire it or you will destroy the towed ship! If you really ''must'' fire your rear laser, then release the ship by a double "h" keypress (start and stop a hyperjump) and pick it up again later. Before doing this you must have set a target system ''and'' have enough fuel for the jump.
 +
*Do not engage in a fight while towing a ship (to avoid too much jerky movement which breaks the towbar). If you must, then, as above, release your towed ship and reclaim it after the battle.
  
Not all derelict ship in the system has beaconCode due to the signal transmitter placed when the towbar locked on.
+
Build up your reputation by salvaging more ships, (towing missions will require qualifications)!
  
You can change the towed ship if your ship touch another derelict ship.
+
Cost: 100.0₢
 +
Techlevel: 1
  
If you initiate a hyperjump then the towbar will release the towed ship. This means that you must sell the ship in the same system where you get it.
+
==Laser Reductor==
  
You can release the towed ship by prime Towbar ('''Shift+N''') and press activate ('''n'''). The just released ship can be relocked by another activate (within 200m).
+
This reduces your Laser power to minimal if your targeted enemy ship is derelict (to prevent you destroying it after the pilot has ejected).
 +
You will get a "Derelict!" message with a "bloop" sound when your target is ejected to warn you to stop firing your laser.
  
The towed ship is vulnerable, suggested to avoid combat situations until delivered.
+
Your first 10 hits will be reduced only, (''ie'' an entire second with a continuously firing beam laser). Most pilots are able to release the fire button within a second after warning sound started: if you fluff this then increase the $TowbarMaxReduct variable in towbar.js.
  
Largest towed ships facing into your aft weapon so you can not fire backward or you will destroy it.
+
When you exceed this limit a "Laser Reductor disabled" message appears and you can now destroy your target to complete your mission.
If you must then release it by double "h" keypress (start and stop a hyperjump) and pick up later.
+
You can turn off the reductor by priming (Shift-N) and activating (n) Towbar when there is neither a towed ship nor a derelict one within 200m.
Before this you must set a target system and has enough fuel for the jump.
 
  
Do not engange fight when towing a ship to avoid too many steering which break the towbar.
+
It is recommended to install the "Derelict" display warning into your HUD (with either Detectors OXP, NumericHUDv3.11 or by following the instructions in the insertintohudlegends.plist file) to get another visual warning.
If you must then release the towed ship and pick up after the battle.
 
  
Build up your reputation by salvaging more ships, missions will require qualification.
+
Cost: 100.0₢
 +
Techlevel: 5
  
Cost: 100.0 Cr.
+
==Ship Miner==
Techlevel: 1
 
 
 
 
 
==Laser Reductor==
 
  
Reduce your Laser power if the targeted ship is derelict and weak to save it from exploding when forced to eject.
+
Complex robots can transfer the valuable parts of the towed ship to your cargo hold - but this takes some time.
Military Laser can destroy it but slower which give more time to stop your fire.
 
Suggested to install the "Derelict" display into you HUD by either [[Detectors]] OXP, [[Numeric_Style_HUDs|NumericHUD v3.11]] or following the instructions in  insertintohudlegends.plist file to can stop your fire in time.
 
  
Cost: 100.0 Cr.
+
Mining operates in the following order:
Techlevel: 5
+
:1. '''Cargo''': stronger ships tend to hold more valuable packages. Fuel is also transferred in this step.
 +
:2. '''Computers''': from the built-in electronics, usually 1 or 2t depending on the ship size.
 +
:3. '''Machinery''': from mining equipment and lasers, in equal value.
 +
:4. '''Alloys''': from dismantling the hull into pieces - but only the smaller pieces can fit into the scoop (max. 10t).
  
 +
Mining will stop by default when the cargo transfer is done - assuming you want to tow the ship into a station.
  
==Ship Miner==
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To continue mining the ship, prime Towbar ('''Shift+N''') and press mode ('''b'''): but this is suggested only if you do not plan to tow the ship back to any dock.
 +
* Set back to the "'''Offline'''" or "Cargo only" settings if you plan to tow a ship again.
 +
* The "'''Cargo only'''" mode is suggested due to possible loss of cargo from the towed ship while moving (which cannot happen from your cargo hold).
 +
* The "'''Up to full'''" mode will mine until there is no free space left in your ship, the rest is left in the half-mined ship.
 +
* The "'''Salvager'''" mode will drop out all mined inner parts into space to complete the mining operation and increase your salvager reputation regardless of whether your hold is full.
  
Complex robots can transfer the valuable parts of the towed ship to your cargo store but this take some time.
+
Cargo check needs some time (even for ships with 0t cargo) due to checking the cabin safe which can contain valuables.
 +
Mining will be paused while steering, speed changing, injecting and torus travel - so it is best to mine when stopped or while travelling straight at a constant normal speed.
  
Mining go ahead in the following order:
+
=== Parcels ===
  
1. '''Cargo''': stronger ships tend to hold more valuable packages. Fuel transferred in this step also.
+
Sometimes you can find parcels when finishing cargo transfer. Urgent ones need to be delivered to the main station within a few minutes.
 +
Your ship's manifest screen (F5F5) will show the remaining time for delivery. Do not use autodock (Shift+C) due to it needing 20 minutes (regardless of the fact that it looks like an instant process!) - you will arrive too late.  
  
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Your parcel reputation will not suffer if you do not arrive in time due to you are not the one who undertook the delivery (expired parcels will be removed from your manifest screen to avoid such penalties).
 +
Install [[Display_reputation_OXP|Display reputation OXP]] to track your progress: you will get more payout for the same work if you earn a higher reputation.
  
2. '''Computers''': from the built-in electronics, usually 1 or 2t depending on the ship size.
+
To find the shortest route for normal parcel delivery you should buy Advanced Navigational Array equipment, then select the galactic chart (F6F6), hold down "^" (Shift+6) and click on the destination (marked with a green diamond). Hold down the Ctrl key as well also to show the fastest route if that route takes too long. Press F1 and then "`" to review your time limit in your communications log in hours. The Manifest screen (F5F5) shows this in days but in the galactic chart (F6F6) you see the times of routes in hours.
  
3. '''Machinery''': from mining equipments and lasers, in equal value.
+
=== Traps ===
  
4. '''Alloys''': dismantle the hull into pieces but only the smaller ones can fit into the scoop (max. 10t).
+
Some ships are equipped with a self-destruct trap. A mistake during Fuel transfer can also end up with an explosion. These can cause major damage to your ship depending on the size of the towed ship. As you gain more and more salvaging experience you can prevent these problems more of the time. With [[ShipVersion]] OXP you usually can mine ships safely below or at your salvager level.
  
Mining will stop by default when cargo transfer done assuming you want to tow the ship into a station.
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Towbar will not autolock if a trap can kill you due to the target being too large or your energy too low. You can override this safety feature by priming and activating Towbar but you risk dying in an explosion. There is always a small chance to fall into a trap, sometimes even an Elite Salvager can make mistakes also! It might be more prudent to avoid overriding this safety feature and wait until your energy and shields are recharged, buying Shield Boosters or even buying a larger ship with more energy banks.
  
To continue prime Towbar ('''Shift+N''') and press mode ('''b'''), but this suggested only if you do not plan to tow the ship back to any dock.
+
Ship mining is not 100% safe, towed ships can explode from the meddling in rare cases which will surely also destroy the miner.
* Set back to "'''Offline'''" or "Cargo only" setting if you plan to tow a ship again.
 
* The "'''Cargo only'''" mode is suggested due to can lose cargo from the towed ship when moving but cannot from your store.
 
* The "'''Up to full'''" mode will mine until there are free space in your ship, others are leaved in the mined ship.
 
* The "'''Salvager'''" mode will drop out all inner parts into the space to finish the whole mining and increase your salvager reputation regardless of your store is full.
 
  
Cargo check need some time in ships with 0t cargo also due to the cabin safe can contain valuables.
 
Mining will be stopped in steering, speed changing, injecting and torus travel so processing when stopped or travel straight at constant normal speed.
 
  
Some ships are equipped with a self-destruct trap and a mistake during Fuel transfer can end up with a blast also. These can cause large damage to your ship depending on the size of the towed ship. After you gained more and more salvaging experience you can prevent these problems more and more times.
 
  
Finished mining counted as the ship is salvaged which increase your reputation, so you can save towing time if money is less important.
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Finishing mining counts as 'salvaging the ship' which increases your reputation - so you can save the towing time by doing so if the money is less important to you.
  
The "'''Empty'''" word in the ship name mean the cargo is transferred already, the "'''Mined'''" word mean finished mining.
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The "'''Empty'''" word in the ship name means that the cargo has been transferred already, the "'''Mined'''" word means that mining is completed.
Your HUD can show these words also with [[Numeric_Style_HUDs|NumericHUD v3.11]] or by following the instructions in insertintohudlegends.plist.
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Your HUD can show these words also with [[Numeric_Style_HUDs|NumericHUD v3.11]] or by following the instructions in the insertintohudlegends.plist.
Derelict ships get light blue lollipop in the scanner when targeted, Empty get blue and Mined get dark blue.
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Derelict ships show as a light blue lollipop in the scanner when targeted, Empty ships show as blue and Mined ships show as dark blue.
  
If you want to sell the parts in other system then you must mine the ship before jump due to there is not possible to construct a tool which can avoid the explosion of a badly damaged ship in hyperspace.
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If you want to sell the parts in another solar system then you must mine the ship before jumping (due to the impossibility of constructing a tool which can avoid the explosion of a badly damaged ship in hyperspace).
  
You should mine also if you are very far away from any dock to avoid losing many parts on the long way, but if the Station is near then you can get more credits by towing.
+
You should also complete mining if you are very far away from any dock to avoid losing many of the parts along the way. If the Station is nearby you will earn more credits by towing it as it is.
  
If you mining a heavy ship which has more than 1.6 times in mass than your ship then you anchored and cannot move regardless of your speed settings. If you touch the controls during mining a heavy ship then released immediately to avoid breaking the towbar.  
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If you are mining a heavy ship which has more than 1.6 times the mass of your ship, then you are stuck and cannot move regardless of your speed settings. If you touch the controls while mining a heavy ship then you must release it immediately to avoid breaking the towbar.  
  
Ship mining is not 100% safe, the towed ship can explode from the meddling in rare cases which surely destroy the miner.
+
Ship Miner can fit into large ships over 130t only and the mined parts need much cargo space, unless you found valuable cargo (Gold, Platinum or Gem-stones).
 
 
Ship Miner can fit into large ships over 130t only and the mined parts need many cargo space, except if you found valuable cargo (Gold, Platina or Gem-stones).
 
 
 
Cost: 20000.0 Cr.
 
Techlevel: 11
 
  
 +
Cost: 20,000.0₢
 +
Techlevel: 5
  
 
==Ship Miner Assistant==
 
==Ship Miner Assistant==
  
Additional transporter bots can help to reduce mining time and increase safety.
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Additional transporter bots can help to reduce the mining time and increase your safety.
The possibilities of flying or destroying parts are about the half of the original.
+
The possibilities of losing or destroying ship parts are roughly halved.
Also can catch large parts when towing before flying out from the towed ship.
+
These can also catch large parts when towing before they drop out of the towed ship.
  
  Cost: 20000.0 Cr.
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  Cost: 20,000.0₢
 
  Techlevel: 11
 
  Techlevel: 11
 
  
 
==Towbar Compatible Injectors==
 
==Towbar Compatible Injectors==
  
Enable Injectors when towing a ship.  
+
Allow the use of Injectors while towing a ship.  
Costly due to need stronger towbar holders and new exhaust tubes to the gases evade the towed ship.
+
Costly due to the need of stronger towbar holders and of new exhaust fittings so that the towed ship is not damaged by exhaust emissions.
  
The towed ship losing more parts if the speed is higher so you can earn the same money only but can save time.
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The towed ship loses more parts if the speed is higher - so you do not save money but you can save time.
Torus Drive is the only exception from the speed rule so suggested to use as soon as possible.
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Torus Drive is the only exception to the speed rule - so Torus is recommended for use as soon as possible.
Do not steer your ship when injecting otherwise towbar will be unstable more times faster.
+
Do not alter your direction while using these injectors otherwise your towbar will become much more unstable.
  
  Cost: 20000.0 Cr.
+
  Cost: 20,000.0₢
 
  Techlevel: 11
 
  Techlevel: 11
 
  
 
==Towbar Repair Bot==
 
==Towbar Repair Bot==
  
Can fix a broken towbar, but one time only.
+
Can fix a broken towbar, but once only.
Repair will start automatically when needed and take about a minute.
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Repair starts automatically when needed and takes about a minute.
  
Can not repair a destroyed towbar which can happen almost as often as break so better if always apply Towbar Stabilizer and start repair in the last resort only.
+
The bot cannot repair a destroyed towbar - which happens almost as often as a broken one - so it is better to apply a Towbar Stabilizer, and use the repair bot as a last resort only.
  
  Cost: 1000.0 Cr.
+
  Cost: 1,000.0₢.
 
  Techlevel: 5
 
  Techlevel: 5
  
 
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[[File:Equipment Icons.png|thumb|400px|right|'''Equipment Icons''' <br>
 +
'''Towbar''' (2): Towbar Stabiliser, TugDrone <br>
 +
(Deep Space Dredger (1): Salvage Missile) <br>
 +
(Cargo Shepherd (1): Cargo Shepherd)]]
 
==Towbar Stabilizer==
 
==Towbar Stabilizer==
  
Use when towbar being unstable to prevent damages and the possible explosion of the towed ship.
+
Use this when your towbar is unstable - it will prevent damage and the possible explosion of your towed ship.
Occupy an empty pylon, launch as a mine.
+
It occupies an empty pylon, and is launched as a mine.
Buy more if you plan to tow heavy ships for long range.
+
Buy more than one if you plan to tow heavy ships for long distances.
  
Can not fix a broken or destroyed towbar, nor resurrect the towed ship after an explosion caused by the unstable towing, so use before these problems occurs.
+
It cannot fix a broken or destroyed towbar, nor resurrect a towed ship after an explosion caused by unstable towing: so use it before these problems occur.
  
  Cost: 200.0 Cr.
+
  Cost: 200.0₢
 
  Techlevel: 5
 
  Techlevel: 5
 
  
 
==Tug Drone==
 
==Tug Drone==
  
 
[[Image:Towbar10.png|400px|right]]
 
[[Image:Towbar10.png|400px|right]]
Launch as a fire and forget missile to a derelict ship and you are done with the work.
+
Launch as a 'fire and forget missile' at a derelict ship and you are done with the work!
Guided by the local authorities which charge 50% commission but pay instantly when hit the target.
+
Managed by the local authorities who charge a 50% commission but also pay up instantly when your tug drone hits the target.
  
Will drop out the cargo and pay for the ship only so you must scoop if not transported with Ship Miner before launched the Tug Drone.
+
The drone will eject the cargo and pay you for the ship only: so you must scoop the ejected cargo if you have not already extracted it with Ship Miner before launching your Tug Drone.
GalCop defend Tugs but need to known by all pirates that Tugs never transport cargo to reach a tolerable safety level (is not worth to attack it).
+
GalCop defends tug drones but the cargo ejection is due to the need for all pirates to know that tug drones never transport cargo (thus attaining a tolerable safety level where it is not worth the pirate's efforts to attack it).
  
[[Deep_Space_Dredger|Deep Space Dredger]] OXP provide Salvage Missile which can autopilot a derelict ship with cargo.
+
[[Deep_Space_Dredger|Deep Space Dredger]] OXP provides a '''Salvage Missile''' which can autopilot a derelict ship with cargo.
In this case you must escort it until reach a Dredger which is much harder because pirate ambushes, but can pay more due to avoid commission.
+
In this case you must escort the derelict until it reaches a Dredger. This can be much harder due to pirate ambushes, but can also pay more due to avoidance of the local authorities' commission.
  
Tug Drone can fit into large ships only (over 130t).
+
A Tug Drone can only fit into large ships (over 130TC).
Do not target small ships which pay less than the cost of the Tug Drone.
+
Do not target small ships which pay less than the cost of the Tug Drone!
You must aim exactly to the target (with red box) to launch the drone, green target lock is not enough.
+
You must aim exactly at the target (''ie'' with a red [[STE]] box) to launch the drone, the regular green target lock is not exact enough.
  
 
The rotating ship model cannot be displayed in the sell salvage screen during flight, and your ship is moving while you read it so press enter shortly to reduce the blind fly time.
 
The rotating ship model cannot be displayed in the sell salvage screen during flight, and your ship is moving while you read it so press enter shortly to reduce the blind fly time.
  
  Cost: 1000.0 Cr.
+
  Cost: 1,000.0₢
 
  Techlevel: 5
 
  Techlevel: 5
 
  
 
==Salvager License==
 
==Salvager License==
  
 
[[Image:Towbar9.png|400px|right]]
 
[[Image:Towbar9.png|400px|right]]
GalCop regulate ship salvaging at main stations: you must buy a license from your first incomes (deducted automatically).
+
GalCop regulates ship salvaging at main stations; you must buy a license from your initial earnings, which is automatically deducted. You will only receive payments for the cargo after you have pooled the full 20,000 credits for the yearly license. You must buy a new license every year. Once you have a Salvager License, you must pay tax on the ship hull and equipment valuations based on the government type.
You can get payments for the cargo only before you pooled the full 20000 credits for the yearly license.
 
 
 
After you got the Salvager License you must pay tax from the ship hull and equipments based on the government.
 
  
 
  Government Tax
 
  Government Tax
Anarchy 0 %
+
  Anarchy 0 %
Feudal 5 %
+
  Feudal 5 %
Multi-Governmental 10 %
+
  Multi-Governmental 10 %
Dictatorship 15 %
+
  Dictatorship 15 %
Communist 20 %
+
  Communist 20 %
Confederacy 25 %
+
  Confederacy 25 %
Democracy 30 %
+
  Democracy 30 %
Corporate State 35 %
+
  Corporate State 35 %
  
Other places than the the main station works without licensing but charges 50% commission.
+
Non-GalCop stations do not require a license, but ''do'' charge a 50% commission. Dredgers in [[Deep_Space_Dredger|Deep Space Dredger]] OXP and Salvage Gangs in [[Anarchies_OXP|Anarchies]] OXP buy without commission due to processing the ship locally but they pay a low price for the alloys of the hull.
Dredgers in  
 
[[Deep_Space_Dredger|Deep Space Dredger]] OXP and Salvage Gang in [[Anarchies_OXP|Anarchies]] OXP buy without commission due to processing the ship locally but pay low price for the alloys of the hull.
 
  
Cargo never taxed nor commissioned.
+
Cargo is never taxed or commissioned.
You must buy new license in every year.
 
  
 +
==Salvager Missions==
  
==Salvager Missions==
+
Your reputation is determined by how many ships you have salvaged either by delivery or by fully mining them.
 +
When you reach certain levels of reputation you might embark on Salvager Missions (in v0.93 only the first of these is implemented):
  
Your reputation counted as how many ships salveged either by delivered or fully mined it.
+
Ships Rank Level Payout (₢) Need new Salvager License
When you reached certain levels you can get Salvager Missions:
+
  0 First Aid Easy   1,000 No
 +
  2 Second Hand Easy   2,000 No
 +
  10 Ten Commands Easy 10,000 Yes
 +
  20 Twenty Sisters Medium 20,000 No
 +
  30 Thirty Pirates Medium 30,000 Yes
 +
  40 Forty Robbers Medium 40,000 Yes
 +
  50 Fifty Percent Hard 50,000 No
 +
100 Hundred Tonnes Hard 100,000 Yes
 +
200 200 Seconds Hard 200,000 No
  
Ships Name Level Payout Need Salvager License
+
==Salvager Rankings==
0 First Aid Easy 1000 No
 
2 Second Hand Easy 2000 No
 
10 Ten Commands Easy 10000 Yes
 
20 Twenty Sisters Medium 20000 No
 
30 Thirty Pirates Medium 30000 Yes
 
40 Forty Robbers Medium 40000 Yes
 
50 Fifty Percent Hard 50000 No
 
100 Hundred Tonnes Hard 100000 Yes
 
200 200 Seconds Hard 200000 No
 
  
 +
You can step up in your Salvager career by towing or mining derelict ships or achieving salvage missions.
  
==Salvager Rankings==
+
As your reputation increases you can attain better rankings which are shown in your Manifest screen (F5-F5).
  
You can step up in your Salvager career by towing or mining derelict ships or achieve salvage missions.
+
With higher ranks you can neutralize more complex traps in towed ships.
  
As your reputation increasing you can get better rankings which shown in the Manifest screen (F5-F5).
 
  
 
  Ships Rankings
 
  Ships Rankings
2 Novice Salvager
+
    2 Novice Salvager
4 Assistant Salvager
+
    4 Assistant Salvager
8 Poor Salvager
+
    8 Poor Salvager
16 Below Average Salvager
+
  16 Below Average Salvager
32 Average Salvager
+
  32 Average Salvager
64 Above Average Salvager
+
  64 Above Average Salvager
128 Competent Salvager
+
  128 Competent Salvager
 
  1000 Trustworthy Salvager!
 
  1000 Trustworthy Salvager!
 
  3000 Infallible Salvager!
 
  3000 Infallible Salvager!
 
  6000 Elite Salvager!
 
  6000 Elite Salvager!
  
 +
==Equipment Payout==
 +
In v0.104, Towbar started supporting "pluggable" policies to calculate the value of the equipments, weapons included, in the salvaged ship, to be implemented by other OXPs.
 +
 +
The reason for that can be seen [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=270538#p270538 in this discussion].
 +
 +
In v0.104, those policies overwrite the standard policy - to change policies the player has to uninstall one policy OXP and install the other policy OXP, which requires exiting the game session. Payout OXPs compatible with the v0.104 version must have a single policy packaged inside.
 +
 +
After v0.105, Towbar supports in-game selection of the payout policy through the Station Interfaces (F4) ''Config for AddOns'' screen. Payout OXPs compatible with v0.105 could package more than one payout policy for the player to choose, but if an OXP packages more than one policy it is not compatible with Towbar v0.104.
 +
 +
The OXPs that package such alternative payout policies can be found [[Towbar_Payout|here]].
 +
 +
[[File:IconBGS.png|right]]
 +
== Technical Information ==
 +
Requires Oolite v1.77 and the [[BGS]] OXP if you want to see a nice background on the salvage screen.
  
 +
=== Configuration ===
 +
Towbar allows in-game configuration through Station Interfaces (F4) ''Config for AddOns'' for:
  
== Technical Informations ==
+
* TalkingShip: when true, Towbar will use Comms to send its messages to the player; otherwise the messages go to the Console.
Depending on Oolite v1.77 and [[BGS]] OXP if you want to see nice background on the salvage screen.
+
* StartMode: start mode for Ship Miner: 0=Offline, 1=Cargo Only, 2=Full, 3=Salvager[.
 +
* Appearance: the Towbar equipment appearance: 0=Retractable, 1=Fixed, 2=Tractor Beam.
 +
* EqPayout: the salvaged equipment Payout Policy to use
  
=== Instructions ===
+
Other configurations can only be altered by editingtowbar.js and re-starting the game:
Unzip the file, and then move the folder named ".oxp" in the end to the AddOns directory of your Oolite installation.
 
Hold down the Shift key when you start the game first time until the splash screen appear.
 
  
=== Settings in towbar.js ===
 
 
* $TowbarDebug = false; //will spawn a derelict ship right after undock
 
* $TowbarDebug = false; //will spawn a derelict ship right after undock
* $TowbarFixed = true; //show towbar if no towed ship also, false works as retractable
+
* $TowbarLimit127t = false; //can limit markets to their original capacity (127t)
* $TowbarLimit127t = false; //can limit markets to the original capacity
+
* $TowbarMaxReduct = 10; //how many hits will be reduced by the Laser Reductor on a derelict ship
* $TowbarMiner = 1; //0:offline, 1:cargo only, 2:up to full, 3:salvager
+
* $TowbarNPCMissile = true; //NPCs with enhanced IQ: fire a missile before ejecting as a last resort
* $TowbarNPCMissile = true; //NPCs with enhanced IQ: fire a missile before eject as last resort
+
* $TowbarSlowTurn = true; //set to false if causing jerky controls while towing a ship
* $TowbarShow = true; //false change it to an invisible tractor beam
+
 
* $TowbarSlowTurn = true; //set to false if cause jerky controls when tow a ship
+
=== Payout OXPs ===
 +
 
 +
Payout OXPs add alternatives to the standard salvaged equipment payout policy. Such alternatives can be pro-player, paying more for the equipment, or anti-player, paying less.
 +
 
 +
A Payout Policy OXP MUST:
  
 +
* create a function that takes an ''EquipmentInfo'' (which might contain a weapon) object as parameter and returns its salvage price IN CREDITS;
 +
** if the ''scriptInfo'' property ''towbar_max_salvage_price'' is defined for an equipment, the value there MUST be the high limit for the payout returned by the function for that equipment;
 +
* in the OXP's startUpComplete event handler:
 +
** append a reference to that function to the array ''worldScripts.towbar.$TowbarEquipmentPayoutHandlers'';<br>
 +
** define a property ''display'' for that function and assign a short and distinctive string to it - the first 6 characters will be used to identify the policy implemented by the function in the policy selection screen;<br>
 +
** repeat for as many policies as wished (but bear in mind that all the policies short names will have to fit in a single line).<br>
  
 
=== License ===
 
=== License ===
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License version 3.0
+
*This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License version 3.0
 +
*If you are re-using any piece of this OXP, please let me know by sending an e-mail to norbylite at gmail.
 +
::Towbar applause sound source: http://soundbible.com/1260-Auditorium-Applause.html
 +
::Towbar break sound source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
 +
::Towbar fireworks sound source: http://soundbible.com/693-Fireworks-Finale.html
 +
::Towbar hit derelict sound source: boop.ogg in Oolite.
 +
::Towbar lock on sound source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in BGS OXP.
 +
 
 +
=== Changelog ===
 +
 
 +
2022.10.25, v1.1
 +
 
 +
* Adds descriptive label for the beacon added to the ship when towbar locks on it for towing.
 +
* Fix mission texts to mention the name of the actual station near which the mission ship is located (instead of always the main station).
 +
* Only outputs message about releasing towed ship when towbar is damaged when a ship is towed (towbar might be damaged when not in use).
 +
* Fix repair costs for Towbar and Towbar Compatible Injectors to discount the full price (which are proportional to the ship's mass).
 +
* Healthy ships (i.e, undamaged ships and usable derelicts) don't lose stuff (cargo and equipment) when towed.
 +
* Checks if Library OXP is installed before attempting to register the configuration options.
 +
* Moves Tug Drone towed-ship processing to towbar worldscript.
 +
* Do not look for the market commodities if in interstellar space.
 +
 
 +
2020.11.04. v1.0
 +
 
 +
* Just ups the version number to 1.0.
 +
 
 +
2020.11.03. v0.110
  
If you are re-using any piece of this OXP, please let me know by sending an e-mail to norbylite at gmail.
+
* Fixes bug in the verification of player ship's mass before offering the mission after towbar is bought.
 +
* Towbar equipment salvage payout pricing looks at the equipment's scriptInfo property 'towbar_max_salvage_price' to limit the salvage price of equipments (useful for money-sinks like Shield Cycler Manual Configurator Standard and Advanced).
  
Towbar applause sound source: http://soundbible.com/1260-Auditorium-Applause.html
+
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"  data-expandtext="Show older" data-collapsetext="Hide older" style="overflow:auto;">
  
Towbar fireworks sound source: http://soundbible.com/693-Fireworks-Finale.html
+
2020.10.03. v0.109
  
Towbar break sound source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
+
* Towbar and Towbar Compatible Injectors have prices proportional to the ship's mass.
 +
* Don't start the mission after the player buys towbar if the player's ship has less than 30t.
 +
* Re-enables injectors after releasing the towed ship when hitch-riding a wormhole.
 +
* Reduces the amount retained for the Salvager's License when salvaging at main station without a license from 100% to 60%.
 +
* Uses $disableEquipemnt and $enableEquipment from Rapair Bots if available to disable/enable the injectors when towing without towbar compatible injectors.
 +
* Stations with GalCop allegiance behave as main station.
 +
* Player may choose to pay the full balance to the Salvager's License if enough credits are available.
  
Towbar lock on sound source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in BGS OXP.
+
2020.09.14. v0.108
  
=== Changelog ===
+
* Deals with carried ships when salvaging a Carrier.
  2013.10.22. v0.92 Trap ships and Fuel mining added (thanks to popsch).
+
 
                  Injectors fixed when the towed ship destroyed by others.
+
2020.09.04. v0.107
2013.09.24. v0.91 Give back Injectors after mission ship is delivered.
+
 
                  Set $TowbarSlowTurn to false on computers where controls goes jerky when tow a ship.
+
* Fixes bug that halted salvaging processing.
                  XML support in insertintohudlegends.plist.
+
* Fixes bug that prevented Appearance parameter saved value from taking effect after loading from save file.
                  Effectdata.plist for Telescope OXP to show large cargo models.
+
* More messages re-written to better English (thanks to Nite Owl).
2013.09.06. v0.9  Laser Reductor, Ship Miner, Ship Miner Assistant and Tug Drone added.
+
2020.08.31. v0.106
                  First Salvager Mission added.
+
 
                  Towbar primeable to release and to change mining mode.
+
* Fixes a bug in the fallback code for Laser Reductor.
                  Salvager Rankings displayed in F5-F5 screen (idea from Display reputation OXP).
+
* Doesn't blindly remove equipments defined by other OXPs.
                  Deep Space Dredger and Salvage Gang buy ships without commission.
+
 
                  Can lose or destroy alloys, cargo and equipments during towing and steering also.
+
2020.08.29. v0.105
                  Flying out more t alloys and cargo in one large object instead of many 1t pieces.
+
 
                  Flying equipments now scoopable as 1 or more t Machinery.
+
* Fixes bug in cargo pod script that looks at the pod's cargo space instead of the player ship's when scooped.
                  The ship.script.$TowbarShipHealth is scalable from 0 to 1 (max. loss to no loss).
+
* Implements salvaged equipment payout policy selection in-game through Stations Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns.
                  Pitch rate less reduced with light towed ships.
+
* Laser Reductor looks at EquipmentInfo.weaponInfo.damage to know the energy of the hit to be reduced (uses a fallback for core game versions that don't allow scripts retrieval of weaponInfo).
                  HUD can show the Derelict, Empty and Mined status of the current target.
+
* Creates TalkingShip, StartMode and Appearance parameters in Stations Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns.
                  Pay bounty instantly when the target derelicted.
+
* Implements TalkingShip, with messages in better English thanks to Nite Owl.
                  Refund available for all equipments of this OXP.
+
* Removes the "Incoming Message" speech intro for Comms messages.
2013.08.21. v0.8  Chance to break the towbar or the towed ship (thanks to DaddyHoggy).
+
 
                  Towbar break sound included, source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
+
2020.08.10. v0.104
                  Towbar Stabilizer, Repair Bot and Towbar Compatible Injectors added.
+
 
                  Towed ship get "D" (derelict) beaconCode.
+
* Use commodity name instead of commodity display name as cargo identification in re-spawned cargo pods (with display name as identification, the cargo couldn't be put into the player's ship manifest when the cargo pod was scooped).
                  Build up reputation in missionVariables.
+
* Adjusted Laser Reductor to take into account the damage rate defined for the current weapon.
                  Salvager License and tax system added.
+
* Debug code to spawn derelicts just out the station when launching now spawn near the station where the player's ship is docked instead of the main station.
                  Flying alloys, cargo and equipments added.
+
* Tweaked code the awards/remove EQ_DTADER to reduce the number of times it's added/removed while targeted.
                  Ship moved to right in the sell salvage screen (thanks to Svengali and cim).
+
* Upped minimal Oolite version to 1.81, removed code for older versions.
2013.08.18. v0.7  Injectors offline and pitch rate very low when towing.
+
* Fixed bug that used commodity display name instead of name in lost-in-transit cargo pods.
                  Payment lowered.
+
* Fixed bug that removed rotation when reducing yaw and pitch while towing (affected ILS rotation-sync).
2013.08.17. v0.6  Lock on sound added. Source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in [[BGS]] OXP.
+
* Fixed bug in salvaged ship payout when the ship's cargo is beyond the local market capacity.
                  Some ships carry much more valuable cargo than others.
+
* Re-factored salvaged equipment pricing into a function (to make it easy to overwrite it with different pricing policies through other OXPs).
2013.08.16. v0.5  Give money for cargo also.
+
* Included port and starboard weapons (if any) in the salvaged ship payout.
2013.08.15. v0.2  Give money for equipments.
+
* Reduced payout for salvaged ship's equipment and weapons.
2013.08.14. v0.1  First test files.
+
* Some de-referencing for performance.
 +
 
 +
2020.06.23. v0.103
 +
 
 +
* Abort sound was not playing if the tug drone can't be launched.
 +
 
 +
2020.05.05. v0.102
 +
 
 +
* Better integration with Email System, preventing unnecessary emails being sent.
 +
 
 +
2020.02.23. v0.101
 +
 
 +
* Fixed two invalid reference errors in the towbar mission script.
 +
* Some minor spelling/grammar corrections.
 +
 
 +
2016.08.14. v0.99
 +
 
 +
* Increased payout for equipments and weapons during ship salvaging.
 +
* Towbar is not shown by default, just when tow a ship (retractable).
 +
* Mission failed screen appear correctly at load game when must finish without rest.
 +
* NPC will not fire missile at point-blank range before eject, thanks to Astrobe.
 +
* Fixed multiplied parcels, thanks to Cmd Northgate.
 +
* Removed "x. find" from parcel messages, suggested by Cmd Northgate.
 +
* Fixed Constrictor hunt problem, thanks to Captain Obvious.
 +
* First mission compatible with Escort Deck, thanks to Vincentz.
 +
* Fixed for very long ships like Worker's Commuter in Commies OXP, thanks to TheOldGamer.
 +
* Density of small-cargo1 raised to help scoop it with small ships, thanks to Bogatyr.
 +
* Tug Drone got collision handler, thanks to Hullblazer.
 +
* Ship Miner default mode changed to salvager as suggested by gt52
 +
 
 +
2015.03.15. v0.98
 +
 
 +
* Player get score if force a pilot to eject.
 +
* Small fixes for Oolite 1.81 and without BGS.
 +
 
 +
2014.09.21. v0.97
 +
 
 +
* The first mission will fail if jump out from the system, thanks to Bogatyr.
 +
* Cleanup after first mission: Moray removed, thanks to Falcon777.
 +
* Trumbles modified to do not take over cargo, thanks to Falcon777.
 +
 
 +
2013.12.26. v0.96
 +
 
 +
* Bugfix in Tug Drone.
 +
* Smaller large cargo box.
 +
 
 +
2013.12.14. v0.95
 +
 
 +
* Parcels and urgent parcels can be found during ship mining.
 +
* Minor tweaks in mining and a bugfix with Trumbles.
 +
* Audio and message warning if hit a derelict ship to stop fire in time.
 +
* Laser Reductor limitation adjustable in $TowbarMaxReduct.
 +
* Illegal cargo added into some ships with bounty.
 +
 
 +
2013.12.08. v0.94
 +
 
 +
* Laser Reductor fixed and can be turned off.
 +
 
 +
2013.10.23. v0.93
 +
 
 +
* Timed bomb implemented into some derelict ships.
 +
* Traps are leveled up with [[ShipVersion]].
 +
* Towbar will not autolock if a trap can be fatal.
 +
* NPCs will stop attacking derelict ships.
 +
 
 +
2013.10.22. v0.92  
 +
 
 +
* Trap ships and Fuel mining added (thanks to popsch).
 +
* Injectors fixed when the towed ship destroyed by others.
 +
 
 +
2013.09.24. v0.91  
 +
 
 +
* Give back Injectors after mission ship is delivered.
 +
* Set $TowbarSlowTurn to false on computers where controls goes jerky when tow a ship.
 +
* XML support in insertintohudlegends.plist.
 +
* Effectdata.plist for Telescope OXP to show large cargo models.
 +
 
 +
2013.09.06. v0.9   
 +
 
 +
* Laser Reductor, Ship Miner, Ship Miner Assistant and Tug Drone added.
 +
* First Salvager Mission added.
 +
* Towbar primeable to release and to change mining mode.
 +
* Salvager Rankings displayed in F5-F5 screen (idea from Display reputation OXP).
 +
* Deep Space Dredger and Salvage Gang buy ships without commission.
 +
* Can lose or destroy alloys, cargo and equipments during towing and steering also.
 +
* Flying out more t alloys and cargo in one large object instead of many 1t pieces.
 +
* Flying equipments now scoopable as 1 or more t Machinery.
 +
* The ship.script.$TowbarShipHealth is scalable from 0 to 1 (max. loss to no loss).
 +
* Pitch rate less reduced with light towed ships.
 +
* HUD can show the Derelict, Empty and Mined status of the current target.
 +
* Pay bounty instantly when the target derelicted.
 +
* Refund available for all equipments of this OXP.
 +
 
 +
2013.08.21. v0.8   
 +
 
 +
* Chance to break the towbar or the towed ship (thanks to DaddyHoggy).
 +
* Towbar break sound included, source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
 +
* Towbar Stabilizer, Repair Bot and Towbar Compatible Injectors added.
 +
* Towed ship get "D" (derelict) beaconCode.
 +
* Build up reputation in missionVariables.
 +
* Salvager License and tax system added.
 +
* Flying alloys, cargo and equipments added.
 +
* Ship moved to right in the sell salvage screen (thanks to Svengali and cim).
 +
 
 +
2013.08.18. v0.7   
 +
 
 +
* Injectors offline and pitch rate very low when towing.
 +
* Payment lowered.
 +
 
 +
2013.08.17. v0.6   
 +
 
 +
* Lock on sound added. Source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in [[BGS]] OXP.
 +
* Some ships carry much more valuable cargo than others.
 +
 
 +
2013.08.16. v0.5   
 +
 
 +
* Give money for cargo also.
 +
 
 +
2013.08.15. v0.2   
 +
 
 +
* Give money for equipments.
 +
 
 +
2013.08.14. v0.1   
 +
 
 +
* First test files.
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Download ==
 +
 
 +
Download [[Media:Towbar-1.1.oxz|Towbar-1.1.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-1.0.oxz|Towbar-1.0.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.110.oxz|Towbar-0.110.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.109.oxz|Towbar-0.109.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.108.oxz|Towbar-0.108.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.107.oxz|Towbar-0.107.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.104.oxz|Towbar-0.106.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.105.oxz|Towbar-0.105.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar-0.104.oxz|Towbar-0.104.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar_0.103.oxz|Towbar_0.103.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar_0.102.oxz|Towbar_0.102.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar_0.101.oxz|Towbar_0.101.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar_0.99.oxz|Towbar_0.99.oxz]].
 +
*[[Media:Towbar_0.98.oxz|Towbar_0.98.oxz]] was downloaded {{#downloads:Towbar_0.98.oxz}} times.
  
Download Towbar OXP from [https://www.box.com/s/t7vnj3kfinbpc7m1twy3 here].
+
== Links ==
 +
*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2007 2006 discussion about towing derelicts]
 +
*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4844 2008 Is destruction the only way?]
 +
*[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8125 2010 Tractor Beams and abandoned ships.] Discussion includes the economics of towing - and handling pirates
 +
=== Other OXPs enhancing this one ===
 +
*[[Deep Space Dredger]] - the dredger also plays a salvage role, and includes a Salvage missile
 +
*[[BGS]] - for Towbar sounds
 +
*[[Towbar Payout]] - there is currently only ''Medium'' available, but more are possible
  
===Quick Facts===
+
== Quick Facts ==
{{OXPLevel|0}}{{Infobox OXPb| title = Towbar
+
{{OXPLevel|0}}
|version = 0.92
+
{{IconOXP|ooVersion="1.81"|oxpCPU="Medium"|oxpMEM="Average"|oxpGPU="Low"|oxpIsParent=true|oxpIsChild=|oxpIsAPI=true|oxpIsDocumented=true|oxpIsConfigurable=true}}
|release = 2013-10-22
+
[[Image:IconLib.png|48px|right|link=Library OXP|alt=Config options available through 'Library']]
|features = Build up your ship salvager career.
+
{{Infobox OXPb| title = Towbar
|license = CC BY-NC-SA 3
+
|version = 1.1
|category = Equipment OXPs
+
|release = 2022-10-25
 +
|features = Introduces Salvaging.
 +
|license = CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
 +
|category = Activities OXPs
 
|author = [[User:Norby|Norby]]
 
|author = [[User:Norby|Norby]]
|download = [[https://www.box.com/s/t7vnj3kfinbpc7m1twy3|Download]]
+
|feedback = [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15204 BB-Link]
|feedback = [http://bb.aegidian.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15204 BB-Link]
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
== Gameplay and Balance indicator ==
 +
[[File:Tag-colour-violet.png]]

Latest revision as of 08:25, 18 March 2024

Make money from derelict ships.

Towbar1.png

Towbar

Pilots often eject when they have lost a fight and thus leave behind an almost destroyed ship. You do not need to totally destroy these ships anymore for the bounty, because now you will get it instantly when the pilot ejects.

Your HUD can show the Derelict status of your target if either Detectors OXP or NumericHUD v3.11 OXP are installed or you insert the insertintohudlegends.plist file from the Towbar OXP into your hud.plist.

If you approach a derelict ship within 100m (or hurtle into it) with a low speed difference (below 10) then the towbar will lock it. You will see it in your aft view (F2).

You can tow ships with a maximum of 1.6 times more mass than your ship. Untowable ships can be mined with Ship Miner only (see below).

You cannot use Injectors unless you have special equipment and your pitch rate will be very low while towing (the $TowbarSlowTurn variable in towbar.js can be set to false on computers where controls go jerky while towing a ship).

Tow the ship into a dock in the current solar system to sell the hull as a large amount of alloys.

Ship		Mass	Alloys	Approximated ₢
 Adder   	 11	   3	    100
 Moray    	 40	  12	    400
 Cobra Mk I	 47	  14	    500
 Fer-de-Lance	 51	  15	    500
 Asp     	 59	  18	    600
 Cobra Mk III	186	  56	   1800
 Boa     	192	  58	   1900
 Python  	222	  67	   2200
 Anaconda	430	  80	   2600
Towbar2.png

The payment is calculated from the alloy price at the station where you sell it, plus 0-2TC Computers (depending on the ship size). The largest ships can give a maximum of only 80TC alloys due to their massive inner space. These alloys will not be added to the market because the ship is sold to a dealer who pays instantly but disassembles the wreck later (thus avoiding filling up the 127TC limit of the station's market). You will get several hundred credits for each saved piece of equipment, and for the weapons too. A Military Laser will be worth 1-2 thousands (but probably the fight was harder to get it).

Cargo will be added to the market. All saved cargo is sold for the current price at the station. If the market is already filled with this cargo then the remains will be sold at half price (or discarded if you set $TowbarLimit127t to true in towbar.js).

Some ships (with high version numbers in ShipVersion OXP - so the more durable ones) hold much more valuable cargo than others.

Towbar3.png

With HardShips OXP you can get more equipment - as you can see in this image:


Compliments

You might get the following compliments:

  • 1000₢: Nice work.
  • 3000₢: Well done!
  • 5000₢: Excellent!


Usage

Be careful when attacking a ship you hope to tow: slow your fire when the exhaust plume changes (or throwing sparks with CustomShields OXP) to avoid blowing it up - and stop immediately when you see the Escape capsule. Then slowly touch the derelict ship to lock it to your towbar.

Reduce the pitch and yaw movements when towing. There is a small but increasing chance to break either the towbar or the towed ship: heavier ships break sooner. A few tips:

  • Approach the derelict ship in the direction of your next movement, usually head to the Station to reduce turning with mass.
  • Stop your ship before turning to cause less pressure to the towbar.
  • Do not go on a sightseeing tour: the status of the ship degrades over time when moving, so you will earn more credits if you deliver it faster. You will be informed about flying parts to remember this. Such loss will be less at low speeds and your haul will be safe from this only if your ship is stopped!

Problems:

  • If the towbar is destroyed then you can buy another and go back to the ship, just find the "D" (derelict) beaconCode on your Advanced Space Compass. Telescope OXP shows it also on your main scanner from any range.
  • If you are too slow then either pirates will blow up the ship for the cargo, or hunters for the bounty or else some Thargoids will visit for sure!
  • Other derelict ships in the system will not display a beaconCode on your ASC (due to the signal transmitter only being placed when the towbar is locked on).

Releasing the towed ship:

  • You can release your towed ship if your ship touches another derelict ship.
  • If you initiate a hyperjump then the towbar will release the towed ship. This means that you must sell the ship in the same system where you get it.
  • You can also release the towed ship by priming your Towbar (Shift+N) and pressing activate (n). The just released ship can then be relocked by another activate (within 200m).

Combat while towing:

  • The towed ship is vulnerable, so you are recommended to avoid combat situations until it has been delivered.
  • The largest towed ships face into your aft weapon - so you cannot fire it or you will destroy the towed ship! If you really must fire your rear laser, then release the ship by a double "h" keypress (start and stop a hyperjump) and pick it up again later. Before doing this you must have set a target system and have enough fuel for the jump.
  • Do not engage in a fight while towing a ship (to avoid too much jerky movement which breaks the towbar). If you must, then, as above, release your towed ship and reclaim it after the battle.

Build up your reputation by salvaging more ships, (towing missions will require qualifications)!

Cost: 100.0₢
Techlevel: 1

Laser Reductor

This reduces your Laser power to minimal if your targeted enemy ship is derelict (to prevent you destroying it after the pilot has ejected). You will get a "Derelict!" message with a "bloop" sound when your target is ejected to warn you to stop firing your laser.

Your first 10 hits will be reduced only, (ie an entire second with a continuously firing beam laser). Most pilots are able to release the fire button within a second after warning sound started: if you fluff this then increase the $TowbarMaxReduct variable in towbar.js.

When you exceed this limit a "Laser Reductor disabled" message appears and you can now destroy your target to complete your mission. You can turn off the reductor by priming (Shift-N) and activating (n) Towbar when there is neither a towed ship nor a derelict one within 200m.

It is recommended to install the "Derelict" display warning into your HUD (with either Detectors OXP, NumericHUDv3.11 or by following the instructions in the insertintohudlegends.plist file) to get another visual warning.

Cost: 100.0₢
Techlevel: 5

Ship Miner

Complex robots can transfer the valuable parts of the towed ship to your cargo hold - but this takes some time.

Mining operates in the following order:

1. Cargo: stronger ships tend to hold more valuable packages. Fuel is also transferred in this step.
2. Computers: from the built-in electronics, usually 1 or 2t depending on the ship size.
3. Machinery: from mining equipment and lasers, in equal value.
4. Alloys: from dismantling the hull into pieces - but only the smaller pieces can fit into the scoop (max. 10t).

Mining will stop by default when the cargo transfer is done - assuming you want to tow the ship into a station.

To continue mining the ship, prime Towbar (Shift+N) and press mode (b): but this is suggested only if you do not plan to tow the ship back to any dock.

  • Set back to the "Offline" or "Cargo only" settings if you plan to tow a ship again.
  • The "Cargo only" mode is suggested due to possible loss of cargo from the towed ship while moving (which cannot happen from your cargo hold).
  • The "Up to full" mode will mine until there is no free space left in your ship, the rest is left in the half-mined ship.
  • The "Salvager" mode will drop out all mined inner parts into space to complete the mining operation and increase your salvager reputation regardless of whether your hold is full.

Cargo check needs some time (even for ships with 0t cargo) due to checking the cabin safe which can contain valuables. Mining will be paused while steering, speed changing, injecting and torus travel - so it is best to mine when stopped or while travelling straight at a constant normal speed.

Parcels

Sometimes you can find parcels when finishing cargo transfer. Urgent ones need to be delivered to the main station within a few minutes. Your ship's manifest screen (F5F5) will show the remaining time for delivery. Do not use autodock (Shift+C) due to it needing 20 minutes (regardless of the fact that it looks like an instant process!) - you will arrive too late.

Your parcel reputation will not suffer if you do not arrive in time due to you are not the one who undertook the delivery (expired parcels will be removed from your manifest screen to avoid such penalties). Install Display reputation OXP to track your progress: you will get more payout for the same work if you earn a higher reputation.

To find the shortest route for normal parcel delivery you should buy Advanced Navigational Array equipment, then select the galactic chart (F6F6), hold down "^" (Shift+6) and click on the destination (marked with a green diamond). Hold down the Ctrl key as well also to show the fastest route if that route takes too long. Press F1 and then "`" to review your time limit in your communications log in hours. The Manifest screen (F5F5) shows this in days but in the galactic chart (F6F6) you see the times of routes in hours.

Traps

Some ships are equipped with a self-destruct trap. A mistake during Fuel transfer can also end up with an explosion. These can cause major damage to your ship depending on the size of the towed ship. As you gain more and more salvaging experience you can prevent these problems more of the time. With ShipVersion OXP you usually can mine ships safely below or at your salvager level.

Towbar will not autolock if a trap can kill you due to the target being too large or your energy too low. You can override this safety feature by priming and activating Towbar but you risk dying in an explosion. There is always a small chance to fall into a trap, sometimes even an Elite Salvager can make mistakes also! It might be more prudent to avoid overriding this safety feature and wait until your energy and shields are recharged, buying Shield Boosters or even buying a larger ship with more energy banks.

Ship mining is not 100% safe, towed ships can explode from the meddling in rare cases which will surely also destroy the miner.


Finishing mining counts as 'salvaging the ship' which increases your reputation - so you can save the towing time by doing so if the money is less important to you.

The "Empty" word in the ship name means that the cargo has been transferred already, the "Mined" word means that mining is completed. Your HUD can show these words also with NumericHUD v3.11 or by following the instructions in the insertintohudlegends.plist. Derelict ships show as a light blue lollipop in the scanner when targeted, Empty ships show as blue and Mined ships show as dark blue.

If you want to sell the parts in another solar system then you must mine the ship before jumping (due to the impossibility of constructing a tool which can avoid the explosion of a badly damaged ship in hyperspace).

You should also complete mining if you are very far away from any dock to avoid losing many of the parts along the way. If the Station is nearby you will earn more credits by towing it as it is.

If you are mining a heavy ship which has more than 1.6 times the mass of your ship, then you are stuck and cannot move regardless of your speed settings. If you touch the controls while mining a heavy ship then you must release it immediately to avoid breaking the towbar.

Ship Miner can fit into large ships over 130t only and the mined parts need much cargo space, unless you found valuable cargo (Gold, Platinum or Gem-stones).

Cost: 20,000.0₢
Techlevel: 5

Ship Miner Assistant

Additional transporter bots can help to reduce the mining time and increase your safety. The possibilities of losing or destroying ship parts are roughly halved. These can also catch large parts when towing before they drop out of the towed ship.

Cost: 20,000.0₢
Techlevel: 11

Towbar Compatible Injectors

Allow the use of Injectors while towing a ship. Costly due to the need of stronger towbar holders and of new exhaust fittings so that the towed ship is not damaged by exhaust emissions.

The towed ship loses more parts if the speed is higher - so you do not save money but you can save time. Torus Drive is the only exception to the speed rule - so Torus is recommended for use as soon as possible. Do not alter your direction while using these injectors otherwise your towbar will become much more unstable.

Cost: 20,000.0₢
Techlevel: 11

Towbar Repair Bot

Can fix a broken towbar, but once only. Repair starts automatically when needed and takes about a minute.

The bot cannot repair a destroyed towbar - which happens almost as often as a broken one - so it is better to apply a Towbar Stabilizer, and use the repair bot as a last resort only.

Cost: 1,000.0₢.
Techlevel: 5
Equipment Icons
Towbar (2): Towbar Stabiliser, TugDrone
(Deep Space Dredger (1): Salvage Missile)
(Cargo Shepherd (1): Cargo Shepherd)

Towbar Stabilizer

Use this when your towbar is unstable - it will prevent damage and the possible explosion of your towed ship. It occupies an empty pylon, and is launched as a mine. Buy more than one if you plan to tow heavy ships for long distances.

It cannot fix a broken or destroyed towbar, nor resurrect a towed ship after an explosion caused by unstable towing: so use it before these problems occur.

Cost: 200.0₢
Techlevel: 5

Tug Drone

Towbar10.png

Launch as a 'fire and forget missile' at a derelict ship and you are done with the work! Managed by the local authorities who charge a 50% commission but also pay up instantly when your tug drone hits the target.

The drone will eject the cargo and pay you for the ship only: so you must scoop the ejected cargo if you have not already extracted it with Ship Miner before launching your Tug Drone. GalCop defends tug drones but the cargo ejection is due to the need for all pirates to know that tug drones never transport cargo (thus attaining a tolerable safety level where it is not worth the pirate's efforts to attack it).

Deep Space Dredger OXP provides a Salvage Missile which can autopilot a derelict ship with cargo. In this case you must escort the derelict until it reaches a Dredger. This can be much harder due to pirate ambushes, but can also pay more due to avoidance of the local authorities' commission.

A Tug Drone can only fit into large ships (over 130TC). Do not target small ships which pay less than the cost of the Tug Drone! You must aim exactly at the target (ie with a red STE box) to launch the drone, the regular green target lock is not exact enough.

The rotating ship model cannot be displayed in the sell salvage screen during flight, and your ship is moving while you read it so press enter shortly to reduce the blind fly time.

Cost: 1,000.0₢
Techlevel: 5

Salvager License

Towbar9.png

GalCop regulates ship salvaging at main stations; you must buy a license from your initial earnings, which is automatically deducted. You will only receive payments for the cargo after you have pooled the full 20,000 credits for the yearly license. You must buy a new license every year. Once you have a Salvager License, you must pay tax on the ship hull and equipment valuations based on the government type.

Government		Tax
 Anarchy 		 0 %
 Feudal			 5 %
 Multi-Governmental	10 %
 Dictatorship		15 %
 Communist		20 %
 Confederacy		25 %
 Democracy		30 %
 Corporate State 	35 %

Non-GalCop stations do not require a license, but do charge a 50% commission. Dredgers in Deep Space Dredger OXP and Salvage Gangs in Anarchies OXP buy without commission due to processing the ship locally but they pay a low price for the alloys of the hull.

Cargo is never taxed or commissioned.

Salvager Missions

Your reputation is determined by how many ships you have salvaged either by delivery or by fully mining them. When you reach certain levels of reputation you might embark on Salvager Missions (in v0.93 only the first of these is implemented):

Ships	Rank		Level	Payout (₢)	Need new Salvager License
  0	First Aid	Easy	  1,000			No
  2	Second Hand	Easy	  2,000			No
 10	Ten Commands	Easy	 10,000			Yes
 20	Twenty Sisters	Medium	 20,000			No
 30	Thirty Pirates	Medium	 30,000			Yes
 40	Forty Robbers	Medium	 40,000			Yes
 50	Fifty Percent	Hard	 50,000			No
100	Hundred Tonnes	Hard	100,000			Yes
200	200 Seconds	Hard	200,000			No

Salvager Rankings

You can step up in your Salvager career by towing or mining derelict ships or achieving salvage missions.

As your reputation increases you can attain better rankings which are shown in your Manifest screen (F5-F5).

With higher ranks you can neutralize more complex traps in towed ships.


Ships	Rankings
   2	Novice Salvager
   4	Assistant Salvager
   8	Poor Salvager
  16	Below Average Salvager
  32	Average Salvager
  64	Above Average Salvager
 128	Competent Salvager
1000	Trustworthy Salvager!
3000	Infallible Salvager!
6000	Elite Salvager!

Equipment Payout

In v0.104, Towbar started supporting "pluggable" policies to calculate the value of the equipments, weapons included, in the salvaged ship, to be implemented by other OXPs.

The reason for that can be seen in this discussion.

In v0.104, those policies overwrite the standard policy - to change policies the player has to uninstall one policy OXP and install the other policy OXP, which requires exiting the game session. Payout OXPs compatible with the v0.104 version must have a single policy packaged inside.

After v0.105, Towbar supports in-game selection of the payout policy through the Station Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns screen. Payout OXPs compatible with v0.105 could package more than one payout policy for the player to choose, but if an OXP packages more than one policy it is not compatible with Towbar v0.104.

The OXPs that package such alternative payout policies can be found here.

IconBGS.png

Technical Information

Requires Oolite v1.77 and the BGS OXP if you want to see a nice background on the salvage screen.

Configuration

Towbar allows in-game configuration through Station Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns for:

  • TalkingShip: when true, Towbar will use Comms to send its messages to the player; otherwise the messages go to the Console.
  • StartMode: start mode for Ship Miner: 0=Offline, 1=Cargo Only, 2=Full, 3=Salvager[.
  • Appearance: the Towbar equipment appearance: 0=Retractable, 1=Fixed, 2=Tractor Beam.
  • EqPayout: the salvaged equipment Payout Policy to use

Other configurations can only be altered by editingtowbar.js and re-starting the game:

  • $TowbarDebug = false; //will spawn a derelict ship right after undock
  • $TowbarLimit127t = false; //can limit markets to their original capacity (127t)
  • $TowbarMaxReduct = 10; //how many hits will be reduced by the Laser Reductor on a derelict ship
  • $TowbarNPCMissile = true; //NPCs with enhanced IQ: fire a missile before ejecting as a last resort
  • $TowbarSlowTurn = true; //set to false if causing jerky controls while towing a ship

Payout OXPs

Payout OXPs add alternatives to the standard salvaged equipment payout policy. Such alternatives can be pro-player, paying more for the equipment, or anti-player, paying less.

A Payout Policy OXP MUST:

  • create a function that takes an EquipmentInfo (which might contain a weapon) object as parameter and returns its salvage price IN CREDITS;
    • if the scriptInfo property towbar_max_salvage_price is defined for an equipment, the value there MUST be the high limit for the payout returned by the function for that equipment;
  • in the OXP's startUpComplete event handler:
    • append a reference to that function to the array worldScripts.towbar.$TowbarEquipmentPayoutHandlers;
    • define a property display for that function and assign a short and distinctive string to it - the first 6 characters will be used to identify the policy implemented by the function in the policy selection screen;
    • repeat for as many policies as wished (but bear in mind that all the policies short names will have to fit in a single line).

License

  • This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License version 3.0
  • If you are re-using any piece of this OXP, please let me know by sending an e-mail to norbylite at gmail.
Towbar applause sound source: http://soundbible.com/1260-Auditorium-Applause.html
Towbar break sound source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
Towbar fireworks sound source: http://soundbible.com/693-Fireworks-Finale.html
Towbar hit derelict sound source: boop.ogg in Oolite.
Towbar lock on sound source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in BGS OXP.

Changelog

2022.10.25, v1.1

  • Adds descriptive label for the beacon added to the ship when towbar locks on it for towing.
  • Fix mission texts to mention the name of the actual station near which the mission ship is located (instead of always the main station).
  • Only outputs message about releasing towed ship when towbar is damaged when a ship is towed (towbar might be damaged when not in use).
  • Fix repair costs for Towbar and Towbar Compatible Injectors to discount the full price (which are proportional to the ship's mass).
  • Healthy ships (i.e, undamaged ships and usable derelicts) don't lose stuff (cargo and equipment) when towed.
  • Checks if Library OXP is installed before attempting to register the configuration options.
  • Moves Tug Drone towed-ship processing to towbar worldscript.
  • Do not look for the market commodities if in interstellar space.

2020.11.04. v1.0

  • Just ups the version number to 1.0.

2020.11.03. v0.110

  • Fixes bug in the verification of player ship's mass before offering the mission after towbar is bought.
  • Towbar equipment salvage payout pricing looks at the equipment's scriptInfo property 'towbar_max_salvage_price' to limit the salvage price of equipments (useful for money-sinks like Shield Cycler Manual Configurator Standard and Advanced).

2020.10.03. v0.109

  • Towbar and Towbar Compatible Injectors have prices proportional to the ship's mass.
  • Don't start the mission after the player buys towbar if the player's ship has less than 30t.
  • Re-enables injectors after releasing the towed ship when hitch-riding a wormhole.
  • Reduces the amount retained for the Salvager's License when salvaging at main station without a license from 100% to 60%.
  • Uses $disableEquipemnt and $enableEquipment from Rapair Bots if available to disable/enable the injectors when towing without towbar compatible injectors.
  • Stations with GalCop allegiance behave as main station.
  • Player may choose to pay the full balance to the Salvager's License if enough credits are available.

2020.09.14. v0.108

  • Deals with carried ships when salvaging a Carrier.

2020.09.04. v0.107

  • Fixes bug that halted salvaging processing.
  • Fixes bug that prevented Appearance parameter saved value from taking effect after loading from save file.
  • More messages re-written to better English (thanks to Nite Owl).

2020.08.31. v0.106

  • Fixes a bug in the fallback code for Laser Reductor.
  • Doesn't blindly remove equipments defined by other OXPs.

2020.08.29. v0.105

  • Fixes bug in cargo pod script that looks at the pod's cargo space instead of the player ship's when scooped.
  • Implements salvaged equipment payout policy selection in-game through Stations Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns.
  • Laser Reductor looks at EquipmentInfo.weaponInfo.damage to know the energy of the hit to be reduced (uses a fallback for core game versions that don't allow scripts retrieval of weaponInfo).
  • Creates TalkingShip, StartMode and Appearance parameters in Stations Interfaces (F4) Config for AddOns.
  • Implements TalkingShip, with messages in better English thanks to Nite Owl.
  • Removes the "Incoming Message" speech intro for Comms messages.

2020.08.10. v0.104

  • Use commodity name instead of commodity display name as cargo identification in re-spawned cargo pods (with display name as identification, the cargo couldn't be put into the player's ship manifest when the cargo pod was scooped).
  • Adjusted Laser Reductor to take into account the damage rate defined for the current weapon.
  • Debug code to spawn derelicts just out the station when launching now spawn near the station where the player's ship is docked instead of the main station.
  • Tweaked code the awards/remove EQ_DTADER to reduce the number of times it's added/removed while targeted.
  • Upped minimal Oolite version to 1.81, removed code for older versions.
  • Fixed bug that used commodity display name instead of name in lost-in-transit cargo pods.
  • Fixed bug that removed rotation when reducing yaw and pitch while towing (affected ILS rotation-sync).
  • Fixed bug in salvaged ship payout when the ship's cargo is beyond the local market capacity.
  • Re-factored salvaged equipment pricing into a function (to make it easy to overwrite it with different pricing policies through other OXPs).
  • Included port and starboard weapons (if any) in the salvaged ship payout.
  • Reduced payout for salvaged ship's equipment and weapons.
  • Some de-referencing for performance.

2020.06.23. v0.103

  • Abort sound was not playing if the tug drone can't be launched.

2020.05.05. v0.102

  • Better integration with Email System, preventing unnecessary emails being sent.

2020.02.23. v0.101

  • Fixed two invalid reference errors in the towbar mission script.
  • Some minor spelling/grammar corrections.

2016.08.14. v0.99

  • Increased payout for equipments and weapons during ship salvaging.
  • Towbar is not shown by default, just when tow a ship (retractable).
  • Mission failed screen appear correctly at load game when must finish without rest.
  • NPC will not fire missile at point-blank range before eject, thanks to Astrobe.
  • Fixed multiplied parcels, thanks to Cmd Northgate.
  • Removed "x. find" from parcel messages, suggested by Cmd Northgate.
  • Fixed Constrictor hunt problem, thanks to Captain Obvious.
  • First mission compatible with Escort Deck, thanks to Vincentz.
  • Fixed for very long ships like Worker's Commuter in Commies OXP, thanks to TheOldGamer.
  • Density of small-cargo1 raised to help scoop it with small ships, thanks to Bogatyr.
  • Tug Drone got collision handler, thanks to Hullblazer.
  • Ship Miner default mode changed to salvager as suggested by gt52

2015.03.15. v0.98

  • Player get score if force a pilot to eject.
  • Small fixes for Oolite 1.81 and without BGS.

2014.09.21. v0.97

  • The first mission will fail if jump out from the system, thanks to Bogatyr.
  • Cleanup after first mission: Moray removed, thanks to Falcon777.
  • Trumbles modified to do not take over cargo, thanks to Falcon777.

2013.12.26. v0.96

  • Bugfix in Tug Drone.
  • Smaller large cargo box.

2013.12.14. v0.95

  • Parcels and urgent parcels can be found during ship mining.
  • Minor tweaks in mining and a bugfix with Trumbles.
  • Audio and message warning if hit a derelict ship to stop fire in time.
  • Laser Reductor limitation adjustable in $TowbarMaxReduct.
  • Illegal cargo added into some ships with bounty.

2013.12.08. v0.94

  • Laser Reductor fixed and can be turned off.

2013.10.23. v0.93

  • Timed bomb implemented into some derelict ships.
  • Traps are leveled up with ShipVersion.
  • Towbar will not autolock if a trap can be fatal.
  • NPCs will stop attacking derelict ships.

2013.10.22. v0.92

  • Trap ships and Fuel mining added (thanks to popsch).
  • Injectors fixed when the towed ship destroyed by others.

2013.09.24. v0.91

  • Give back Injectors after mission ship is delivered.
  • Set $TowbarSlowTurn to false on computers where controls goes jerky when tow a ship.
  • XML support in insertintohudlegends.plist.
  • Effectdata.plist for Telescope OXP to show large cargo models.

2013.09.06. v0.9

  • Laser Reductor, Ship Miner, Ship Miner Assistant and Tug Drone added.
  • First Salvager Mission added.
  • Towbar primeable to release and to change mining mode.
  • Salvager Rankings displayed in F5-F5 screen (idea from Display reputation OXP).
  • Deep Space Dredger and Salvage Gang buy ships without commission.
  • Can lose or destroy alloys, cargo and equipments during towing and steering also.
  • Flying out more t alloys and cargo in one large object instead of many 1t pieces.
  • Flying equipments now scoopable as 1 or more t Machinery.
  • The ship.script.$TowbarShipHealth is scalable from 0 to 1 (max. loss to no loss).
  • Pitch rate less reduced with light towed ships.
  • HUD can show the Derelict, Empty and Mined status of the current target.
  • Pay bounty instantly when the target derelicted.
  • Refund available for all equipments of this OXP.

2013.08.21. v0.8

  • Chance to break the towbar or the towed ship (thanks to DaddyHoggy).
  • Towbar break sound included, source: bgs-c_hullbang.ogg in BGS OXP.
  • Towbar Stabilizer, Repair Bot and Towbar Compatible Injectors added.
  • Towed ship get "D" (derelict) beaconCode.
  • Build up reputation in missionVariables.
  • Salvager License and tax system added.
  • Flying alloys, cargo and equipments added.
  • Ship moved to right in the sell salvage screen (thanks to Svengali and cim).

2013.08.18. v0.7

  • Injectors offline and pitch rate very low when towing.
  • Payment lowered.

2013.08.17. v0.6

  • Lock on sound added. Source: bgs-m_fx_shipyard1.ogg in BGS OXP.
  • Some ships carry much more valuable cargo than others.

2013.08.16. v0.5

  • Give money for cargo also.

2013.08.15. v0.2

  • Give money for equipments.

2013.08.14. v0.1

  • First test files.

Download

Download Towbar-1.1.oxz.

Links

Other OXPs enhancing this one

  • Deep Space Dredger - the dredger also plays a salvage role, and includes a Salvage missile
  • BGS - for Towbar sounds
  • Towbar Payout - there is currently only Medium available, but more are possible

Quick Facts

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Minimum Oolite versionCPU usage mediumMemory usage averageGPU usage lowisParentisAPIisDocumentedisConfigurable

Config options available through 'Library'
Version Released License Features Category Author(s) Feedback
1.1 2022-10-25 CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Introduces Salvaging. Activities OXPs Norby BB-Link

Gameplay and Balance indicator

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